We are going to be visiting soon and it’s very hard to get on the general tour/info session at UMichigan. We have some stuff set up at SMDT one day.
Does anyone have suggestions for self touring campus or what to see or do in the area if you had a free day?
Sorry - I know it is SMTD and not SMDT, typo I cannot correct now.
What’s your S’s and D’s major? If Engineering, Design or Architecture, then a North Campus visit would be prudent.
The Law Quad is probably the prettiest part of campus with the quietest library. Ross Business School, Central Campus and The Diag, of course. The UGLI (Undergraduate Library). The Student Union is being rebuilt, so can’t go there.
As far as dorms, I’d visit West, South and East Quads, then go over to the Hill and take a look at MoJo (Mosher Jordan) and Markley. You won’t be able to access them, without being on a tour, but just to take a look.
For sophomore dorms, take a look at Stockwell and North Quad, just in case, your student wants to live on campus as a sophomore.
Take a look at this thread for restaurants:
My kid is looking at possible dual degree in the school of music and LSA (undecided - lots to interest him there).
And thank you!
And then down to the sports complex, it’s a short walk to the IM (Intramural Building, beautiful), Crisler Arena (basketball gym), Yost (Hockey) and of course the Big House. Again, inside access likely won’t be available to you.
And there’s a brand new Biological Sciences Building, the USB (Undergraduate Science Building) and Chem buildings, if you have a STEM student.
The two main off-campus areas are the Downtown State Street and South University. Lots of food and shops.
I’m UMich music illiterate, but LSA is all Central Campus. No need to see North Campus, unless you check out the dorms there, in case your student is placed there for housing, which for an LSA student isn’t great.
We’ve actually been to North before and will be going back up their for music related stuff on our 2nd day there. But checking out central campus sounds great - I’ll print out a map and mark it up! 
If he gets into music, he might elect for north campus living? We will see!
My student is LSA/STEM, so everything is on Central Campus. Remember most LSA classes, like First Year Writing Seminar, math, psych, bio/chem, sociology, etc., is held on Central.
Also, all the Greek culture and the Sports Complex will be a bus ride away, if housing is on North Campus. It’s a personal choice of course. @Knowsstuff will know North Campus better than I.
@MusakParent In general all housing is random, you don’t get to make a preference for North Campus, Central Campus or the Hill. The exceptions are the learning communities, honors college, etc, which have particular dorms as their home.
Under Housing Application Tips:
https://housing.umich.edu/first-year-application-instructions/
Oh right, there Is a specific LC on north campus he is interested in. He is not likely to want to pledge.
We’d take restaurant and sight seeing recommendations too if anyone has any suggestions in that direction!
So last year my son was on central campus in West Quad. He was in a corner unit made for 3 kids but it was just him and his roommate. They had a lot of room. We bought a futon that they both used. Great location as @sushiritto has stated, close to the things you want to be close to and a short walk through i his classes. But the best thing about central campus is still hot fudge chocolate chip shakes at Pizza Bob’s 
(you can get like 25 different types).
But my son had to constantly go to North Campus for work, activities he was involved in etc so he decided to move to North Campus and is in Northwood 3. Nice size apartment. (university apartments) Very plain vanilla but for two boys it’s great. He is now taking all engineering classes on North campus. It’s very quite on north. You will actually run into Deer and other creatures walking around. It’s the total opposite of Central. It’s very chill as they say. He really likes it also. If central is like a city then north is its suburban counterpart. More shops in small malls. Short bus ride to Krogers. They have a very nice central area for student meals and activities. All the creative minds are on North. You have all of engineering, Art, Dance and Theater. Lots of medical students /nursing.
It takes about 15/20 minutes bus to get to central. It adds a bit to get to the stadium but the bus ride back is very packed and fun.
He seems to do more walking on north like 15 to get to breakfast if he doesn’t eat in his apartment. Then 15 minutes to classes but they are mostly together. Lots of green space there. If he wants different food he goes to central campus. He is planning on living there the remainder of his time.
Music students spend a ton of time at the music bldg for rehearsals, lessons, practicing, etc. Because of that many music students do live on North Campus, especially their first year or two, as the convenience to the music bldg outweighs everything else. FYI, my D graduated last year with dual degrees in music performance and engineering. She lived in Baits as a Freshman, then moved off campus to apartments very close to North. Many of her SMTD peers were also in Baits or Bursley that first year. There is no dining hall in Baits, so students there do need to walk to Bursley to eat.
As to what else to do, you got good advice above. It sounds like you will be in the music building on North. On Central, also stop in Hill Auditorium (most major concerts are here). I’d also take the bus between campuses at least once so you can see what it’s like. Songbird Cafe is not far from North and is a neat coffee shop that serves a good breakfast and light lunch. Popular with the SMTD kids.
Hope you have a great visit!
My son is a Freshman -COE. He lives inn central campus this year but living on North next year.
Restaurants: Frito Bandidos, Knights, Sava’s (breakfast), Fleetwood Diner (Hippie hash—yum), and Roos Roast Coffee. Those are a few of my recommendafions. I haven’t tried Pizza Bob’s but will on our next visit.
Also, I would swing by Admissions (I can’t think which building it is in) and see if you can get on a tour. I’m sure they have cancellations and no shows.
My son loves Michigan. He’s so happy he made the decision to go there. I love it because it’s a quick drive from the Detroit airport and we live on the East Coast. He had a medical emergency about 1 month into his Freshman year and I flew in late at night. Medical care is top notch…hopefully you never need it but it’s excellent, if it is needed.
When near/on Central, a lot of the kids go to Fred’s, Amers or Savas. Espresso Royale for coffee.
Blimpie Burgers on central right next to Fleetwood. Both are institutions for the kids. Angelo’s for raisin French toast /breakfast./lunch. Brown Jug, Score Keepers etc etc. Once you just walk around campus you will come across a host of great restaurants in every price range and every food category. Download an Ann Arbor map and see what’s there. Many fine restaurants that most kids might find too expensive also … That’s what the parents are for… Lol…
Medical center on North is literally world class. People come to Michigan medical center from around the world for all various types of treatments. So when the kids get the flu etc… They are in really good hands. If they needed something more serious done, I can’t think of another hospital I would rather have them be at honestly.
On the map, it seems like the majority of these places are in/near Central Campus. I’ve read North Campus is about 15-20 drive from Central.
Any notable eateries, shop-lined streets, or must-see places near North Campus?
I’m sure this has been asked.
@romns116 Look up thread for North Campus eateries and shops. Unfortunately, my kid is LSA/STEM and everything is on Central Campus for us.
How about Stanford? :)) (just kidding, it’s close to me and everyone here thinks the world revolves around Stanford)